The best hair rollers and curlers for curly and wavy styles

Heated rollers, cold rollers, curling wands and tongs. With so much choice it’s hard to work out which hair rollers are the best to get curly and wavy hair.

Need help finding the right one for your hair type and lifestyle? We’ve done the hard work for you and tried and tested all of the hair curlers out there to bring you the best heated rollers and curlers to get curly and wavy hair. Match them with our favourite curly hair products and you’ll give everyone hair envy.

Velcro rollers

Don’t underestimate the power of the humble velcro roller. Sure, they’re associated with fluffy slippers, bathrobes and grannies, but they’re also a sure fire way to get add lift to roots while curling the length of your hair. Prep each one with hairspray before using them to give them extra grip and your hair hold, then give them a blast with your hairdryer to add heat.

Best for: thin hair

How to use velcro rollers

1. Use some styling mousse on your towel-dried hair. It will give your hair the right texture and add definition to your curls.
2. Dry off your hair with a hairdryer, tipping your head upside down as you dry it to give you lift at the roots.
3. For extra hold and definition, spray each section of hair with a light and flexible hairspray before applying a roller.
4. Collect a section of hair an inch in thickness and blast with heat from your hair dryer, focussing on the full length.
5. Holding the ends of your hair against a roller, roll from the ends of your hair up to the roots, rotating inwards so the the roller is underneath the section of hair at all times. Apply heat again using a blow dryer for 15-20 minutes in order to dry your hair or “activate” the rollers applied on dry hair. You can also let your hair dry naturally for 4-6 hours.
7. Once your hair is cooled, remove the rollers by twisting out the same way you twisted in.

Foam rollers

If you can’t be bothered curling your hair during the day, do it while you catch a few zzz’s with foam rollers. The plastic clip on the outside holds your hair in place while you toss and turn in your sleep, while the foam allows for comfort, so you barely even notice they’re there. Use them while your hair is slightly damp (not wet – you don’t want to catch a cold!).

Best for: Time efficiency

How to use foam rollers

1. Wash your hair and towel dry it. You want it damp enough to style, yet not so wet that it can’t dry out and hold its curls.
2. Roll the front of your hair first. Section your hair to the width of the roller – the amount depends on how many curls you want – and rotate inwards so that your hair is always on top of the roller.
3. Snap the holder over the top to keep the curls in place as you sleep.
4. Switch to medium or small rollers as you get closer to your neck.
5. In the morning, unsnap each roller and gently remove it.

Steam rollers

For a gentle, safe type of heating, you can’t really go past steam rollers. They deliver long lasting voluminous curls while keeping hair shiny and static-free and the non-damaging steam conditions the hair as it locks in curls.

Best for: Damaged hair

How to use steam rollers

1. Start with dry hair and use a comb to section your hair 1 – 2 inches in thickness.
2. Shake your steamed roller to get rid of any water droplets and then holding your hair at the end on the roller, roll inwards so that your hair is sitting on top of the roller.
3. Roll it all the way up and place the cap over the top to create a steam barrel, which will curl your hair.
4. To remove the roller, simply take the cap off and roll out the way you rolled in.

Heated rollers

If your hair is the type that curls quickly only to drop five minutes later, these are for you. They’re instantly hot, so you don’t have to wait for your hair dryer to heat them up, they come in a variety of sizes so you can use the bigger ones for volume at the crown of your head and you simply let them cool down for your hair to set. Think big, buoyant curls.

Best for: Thick hair

How to use heated rollers

1. Spray your hair with flexible hold hairspray or prep with a volumising mousse.
2. Divide your hair into sections that are 1 – 2 inches thick.
3. Starting in the front, take a section of hair and wrap it around the first roller. Roll your hair back toward your head so that the front of your hair pulls away from your forehead and over the roller.
4. Spray your hair with hairspray and allow to cool.
5. Unwind the same way you wound in.

Spoolies

Also known as button curlers or peco hair rollers, these odd looking caps can create loose curls (when wrapped at the ends) or defined corkscrew curls (when wrapped from roots to tips). They can also withstand heat to give your hair long lasting body.

Best for: Defined curls

How to use spoolies

1. Put the curlers into the pod completely open so that they get even heat distribution.
2. Ensure your hair is completely dry before and then take a section of hair, around two inches wide, and wrap it around the barrel. Starting at the ends of the hair, wind the hair around the barrel towards the top of the head.
3. Close together once you have reached the ideal position for your style.
4. Allow the pods to cool completely before removing. This allows the hair to cool and set the curl for lasting effect.

Bendy rollers

Not only are these rollers soft and versatile, they can be used to create tight and loose curls as well as more natural wavy styles. Blow dry your hair on a medium heat and wrap your hair around a roller before bending it over to lock the curl in place. Allow the curls to cool and set before releasing them from the roller.